To Secondary or Not Secondary

[baron]

I've been using a secondary fermenter since day 1 of brewing.

But -- have noticed some of you do not and get great results.

Just thinking I would like to try brewing a batch with just a 6 gallon carboy only instead of my normal primary fermenter and secondary 5 gallon carboy.

Any thought -- comments?

Thanks,

Rick

 

[wired247]

Ive never used a secondary and I don't think there is any real benefit to doing so. 2 weeks in the fermenter plus a few days for gelatin and off to the serving keg works for me for all but the highest gravity ales.

 

[kh54s10]

Seems more use only primary than those that use a secondary... I skipped the secondary on the batch I bottled last night so I will have some idea in a few weeks. I did notice that the beer didn't seem as clear. But it tasted good!

I'd say to give it a try then do what you feel is best.

 

[baron]

That's what I was thinking.

Use gel to clear it -- just didn't know if it would be detrimental sitting on trub for that long.

Also -- do most use Irish Moss do help clarify?

 

[LKABrewer]

If you are curious, then please try it. To make it a better experiment, split the same batch into two fermenters and secondary one of them.

 

[Demon]

I never secondary. 2-3 weeks in primary for my beers.

 

[Revvy]

Everything you need to know to make up your own mind has been discussed here- To Secondary or Not? John Palmer and Jamil Zainasheff Weigh In .

 

[Paulgs3]

I use a secondary, but not a secondary fermenter.

I tried a few time going directly from primary to keg and the results have not been so great.

I always go 3-4 weeks primary, secondary 3-7 days for clearing (cold crash) and then keg. I do it for cosmetic reason as well as taste because that level of sludge in the keg really destroys the flavor for about 1/2 gal or so. Beer is too precious.

I guess another idea is going keg to keg instead of using my "secondary".

I use Whirlfloc.

 

[Homercidal]

I use a secondary, but not a secondary fermenter.

I tried a few time going directly from primary to keg and the results have not been so great.

I always go 3-4 weeks primary, secondary 3-7 days for clearing (cold crash) and then keg. I do it for cosmetic reason as well as taste because that level of sludge in the keg really destroys the flavor for about 1/2 gal or so. Beer is too precious.

I guess another idea is going keg to keg instead of using my "secondary".

I use Whirlfloc.

Have you tried a few weeks primary, then cold crash, then rack to keg? I find the cold crash and careful siphon into keg makes the beer as clear as any secondary I've done.

 

[Paulgs3]

Have you tried a few weeks primary, then cold crash, then rack to keg? I find the cold crash and careful siphon into keg makes the beer as clear as any secondary I've done.

That is exactly what I do, but I use a "second" glass carboy to cold crash.

Unless you cold crash in the primary? I've tried that but the BB carboy collapsed on me.

 

[baron]

Everything you need to know to make up your own mind has been discussed here- To Secondary or Not? John Palmer and Jamil Zainasheff Weigh In .

Great article-- thanks the post.

 

[Homercidal]

That is exactly what I do, but I use a "second" glass carboy to cold crash.

Unless you cold crash in the primary? I've tried that but the BB carboy collapsed on me.

I see. I did mean cold crashing the primary. The carboy created a vacuum when the temperature dropped and no air was able to get inside. I used an "S" shaped airlock for this. I also have a microfilter that could be used in this way (I intend to use it for no-chill brewing though).

But honestly, I think it's a very slight risk to let a little air into the fermenter. People do it all the time when racking and bottling. I'd try putting a piece of sanitized foil over the top of the BB so that it can breathe in.

Again, secondary is perfectly fine if you don't mind that extra step.